TWIST

This Week In Short Term:

Haiti:

We have a work/evangelism team of 11 in Cap Haitian, Haiti September 3-17.
We have a work team of 6 going into Cap Haitian, Haiti September 10 - October5.

Ecuador:

We have a medical team of 16 in Susudel, Ecuador September 16-25.

Rwanda:
We have a team of 3 going to Kigali, Rwanda September 9-29 to provide literacy training.

What God is doing through OMS and Men For Missions

While sitting down this past Wednesday in are half day of prayer, I found out some amazing statistics I can't help but share.  

• This past year we have seen 34 people answer their call by God to become missionaries at our headquarters.
• We have seen 13 countries participate in our most recent Church Multiplication Training.
• We have seen almost 300,000 people profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior in the past 6 months.
• AND we have seen tremendous growth out of our 2 most recent One Weekends.
• 38% of those that participated in the first One Weekend and 35% from our second One Weekend have chosen to become missionaries.

One Weekend is designed to help those thinking about or wanting to explore what missions is all about.  Over the weekend, each participant will have the chance to explore missionary life, have conversations with actual missionaries, and explore topics that missionaries deal with each and everyday.

Our next One Weekend is October 28-30th.  I've attached a flyer below and a link to our website.  If you would like to participate contact Paul Cox or myself.  For $65 (single) or $130 (couple) you can also sponsor a scholarship for somebody attending.  To do this you can also contact Paul Cox or myself.

Hallelujah, we worship a BIG God!

Brent, Briyana, and Aliyana

TWIST

This Week In Short Term:

Haiti:

We have a work/evangelism team of 11 in Cap Haitian, Haiti September 3-17.
We have a work team of 6 going into Cap Haitian, Haiti September 10 - October5.

Japan:

We have a work team of 5 going to Tokyo, Japan September 9-2 to help with the Tsunami relief effort.

Rwanda:

We have a team of 3 going to Kigali, Rwanda September 9-29 to provide literacy training.

Evangecube

Last Friday, I participated in a training session that included learning how to incorporate the Evangecube into our ministries.  As part of the training we went to a local hotel we had connections with to share with those that would listen.

The hotel we visited tends to be refuge to those down on their luck.  Many of those that stay, use the hotel as last resort until they become homeless, and a large majority of them are without a job.  We knocked on several doors with no answer, but the conversations that we had with those that did answer tended to be very encouraging.

My teammate  Bill and I had a very encouraging conversation with a gentleman named Nick.  Nick is a recent U.S. Marine that has been medically discharged from the service because he suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  He invited us into his room and we began sharing with him the message of hope and salvation with our testimonies and help from the Evangecube.  We asked Nick if he had ever heard about Jesus Christ and he said yes, but when we asked him what he would say to God to let him in Heaven when he approached the day he died; he had no answer.  We asked him if he wanted to ask the Lord into his heart and he nodded.  We prayed with him and encouraged him to get plugged into a local church for fellowship and mentorship.

Since that day, Nick has begun attending a  Sunday morning church service and recently attended a Wednesday night bible study with other new believers.  He's moving out of the hotel and plans on moving in with his Father into a house.  Please continue to pray for Nick as he grows deeper in his relationship with Jesus Christ.

To God Be The Glory!!!

Brent, Briyana, and Aliyana

SO Much Has Changed!

I want to apologize for the significant gap in updates and posts.  June was a blur with Aliyana's birth, July was a blur from the lack of sleep and effort Briyana and I took to adjust to our new schedules and family.  August was a blur because of all the traveling we did to say goodbye to family, friends, and the move to Indiana.

We moved to Greenwood, Indiana on August 19, 2011 to begin our ministry with Men For Missions and One Mission Society.  Though we miss are families and friends; we are so excited to see what God has in-store for us over the coming months.  Briyana will be working with the University of Indianapolis part-time and part-time at Community Hospital South in their Progressive Care Unit.

Please continue to lift our family up in prayer as we adjust to our new lives and continue raising the last of our monthly support.

God Bless,

Brent, Briyana, and Aliyana

TWIST

This Week In Short Term

Haiti

We have a work team of 5 in Jeremie, Haiti helping with electrical work and generator repair until September 2

We have a work team of 5 going into Jeremie, Haiti from August 30 - September 3 

We have a work/evangelism team of 11going into Cap Haitian, Haiti September 3-17 

Japan

We have a relief team of 5 from northern IN going to Japan Sep. 9-24

Rwanda

We have a team of 3 going to Kigali, Rwanda for literacy training Sep. 9-29 

Mission Trip to Haiti: Day 8

Day 8 was our last day in Haiti.  We woke up at 5:15am and headed out around 5:45am for the airport.  The ride to the airport was bittersweet and somewhat emotional.  We got to say our goodbyes to our Haitian friends and proceeded through the 3 security checkpoints you must go through to get on an airplane in Haiti.  If Americans feel like security checkpoints are bad in America, I'm afraid of what they would say if they lived in Haiti.

Our flight from Port-au-Prince to Fort Lauderdale was smooth.  We were in no hurry.  We knew we had a 3.5 hour layover and were not worried of missing it.  Unfortunately, our flight from Fort Lauderdale to Dallas was delayed too.  The plane broke down and we had to wait an additional 4 hours for another plane to take us to Dallas.  SO, instead of arriving at Dallas around 5pm, we arrived at 10:30pm.  A bit frustrating, but we figured it was better that they found out the plane was broken while we were still on the ground, rather than finding out while we were in the air.

All in all, the trip was a HUGE success.  The house got built, relationships were established, missionaries were encouraged, and lives were changed.  Thank you for your prayers and support!

The finished product  :)

Mission Trip to Haiti: Day 7

I woke up and was determined to go to the jobsite today.  We had biscuits and Haitian gravy for breakfast. Instead of having the traditional gravy with sausage, our gravy had eggs in it.  It was interesting.

It was going to be our last day at the jobsite, and we also wanted to visit a house that was previously built to say hi and give them some gifts.  We decided to go say hi first.  The other house was the complete opposite direction from our jobsite and was on a mountain overlooking the Caribbean.  The mountain was so high, that our SUV couldn't even make it up to the house.  We had to walk at the steepest part.  When we got there, I was awe struck.  I felt like I was on top of the world.  Homes for Haiti had built a $10,000 house with a $1,000,000 view.  We were able to give the kids of the area some treat and toys and gave the home owner a water purification system and a Radio that plays the Bible.

A view from the house on top of the mountain.

We eventually headed back to our jobsite and dedicated the house to the future homeowners.  It neat to see their appreciation and hear how the house was going to make an impact on their lives and the lives of those around them.  We also gave them a water purification system and a Bible on radio.  The understanding we have with the homeowners is that they will hold bible-studies in their home with the neighbors around them.

Once they left, we finished up the roof and other last minute things and headed back to the Villa.  That evening we had the chance to have dinner with the pastor of the church we partner with in Port-au-Prince.  Members of their sister churches were their and we enjoyed an evening of fellowship and fun.  

Mission Trip to Haiti: Day 6

I wanted to go to the jobsite today, but I was still in a lot of pain and the other team members felt it was best that I stayed back.  I can't lie, I was a little upset that I couldn't go.  It wasn't until later in the day after talking with a friend that I realized that everything happens for a reason.

Midway through the day while I was reading my Bible and writing, I looked out my window and saw smoke coming out of one of the rooms.  I stepped outside and got Sarah (a missionary on the field in Haiti) and we went to action.  A group of Haitians were staying at the Villa for a conference and one of them had left their computer on a charger that eventually caught fire.  Everybody was knocking on the door afraid somebody was still in the room, because Haitians are notorious for taking afternoon naps.  Somebody came down with the key, and before I could warn them to not open the door quickly, the door was open and the fumes went higher.

A picture of the area once the fire was put out.

It was at this point that I saw a make-shift Haitian Fire Department.  The Haitians grabbed some 5 gallon buckets, ran to the pool, and made an assembly line back down to the room and proceeded to throw the water on the fire.  Unfortunately, everytime they threw water on it, the flames grew.  I guess that's what happens when you use water mixed with chlorine.  In the meantime, Sarah had ran to the kitchen and found the fire extinguisher, and eventually put out the flames.  The room was destroyed, but nobody was hurt.

When the team got back, we went next door and watched as the kids sang us songs (in Creole and English) and gave testimonies of how God had blessed them.   It was so neat to see how each kid thanked God for protecting them in the earthquake.  So many of them were only feet away from almost certain death.  I left with goosebumps on my arms.

Mission Trip to Haiti: Day 5

Sorry it's been awhile since I've posted.  We're on the brink of having a little baby girl enter our lives and that has distracted me quiet a bit these past couple of days.

Day 5 started like all the other days.  We got dressed, went to breakfast (eggs and toast), and took the trip to the jobsite.  It was extra busy on the roads today.  It took us almost 2 hours to get there.  The sun was hot, the exhaust fumes were many, and the road was bumpy as usual.  All this combined to make me very car sick. 

When we got to the jobsite, we unloaded supplies and a member of our group led a devotional on the Roman Roads.  Our task today was to take down the forms and begin putting on the trusses for the roofing system.  I was on the scaffolding.  When we got done with one side, we had to move the scaffolding to the next corner of the house.  It was then that I either pulled or tore a muscle in my chest.  I was in extreme pain.  I couldn't stand up, I couldn't sit down, and I could barely breathe without pain.  I ended up leaving the jobsite and headed back to the Villa.  

On the way back, I passed out.  I'm not sure if I passed out because of the pain or because of exhaustion.    The rest of the day was a blur for me.  I tried to take it easy in hopes that the pain would go away, but it didn't.